Spotify is no longer just about streaming music and podcasts—it’s becoming a place to connect with friends. The company has officially launched an in-app messaging feature, aiming to make content sharing more interactive and social.
Why Spotify is Adding Messaging
For years, users have shared Spotify links through platforms like WhatsApp, Instagram, or TikTok. But until now, conversations around those tracks or podcasts have happened outside of Spotify.
With the new feature, users can:
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Chat one-on-one with friends inside the app.
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Keep track of shared songs, playlists, and podcasts without searching.
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React with emojis to specific messages for a more fun experience.
However, you can’t start a chat with just anyone. Conversations are limited to people you’ve already interacted with on Spotify—such as collaborators on playlists, members of Jams or Blends, or those on a Family/Duo plan. Once you send a request, the recipient must approve it before the chat begins.
How the Feature Works
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Starting a Chat: You can begin conversations with approved friends directly in the app.
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External Invites: If someone sends you a Spotify link on another platform, you can tap it to approve their chat request. You can also send invite links to people in your contacts.
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Accessing Messages: Simply tap your profile picture and head to the Messages section in the left-hand navigation bar.
Spotify emphasizes that this feature is designed to complement, not replace, external sharing.
Privacy and Safety Measures
Spotify says messages are encrypted both at rest and during transit, but they’re not end-to-end encrypted. The company may proactively review messages to ensure they don’t break platform rules.
Users can:
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Report inappropriate messages.
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Control the feature under Settings > Privacy & Social to disable messaging altogether.
Expanding Social Features on Spotify
This move is part of Spotify’s bigger push toward becoming more interactive. In the past year, Spotify added:
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Comments on podcasts.
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A redesigned feed with short-form videos.
There’s also speculation that comments on music tracks could be on the horizon, further blurring the line between streaming and social media.
Where It’s Rolling Out
The feature is debuting for users 16 and older in select markets across Latin and South America, with plans to expand soon to:
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The US and Canada
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Brazil
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The EU and UK
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Australia and New Zealand
Both free and premium subscribers will have access, but only through Spotify’s mobile app.
The Mixed Reactions
While some users welcome this social upgrade, others feel Spotify is becoming too cluttered. The app already packs in recommendations, podcasts, audiobooks, and now chats—leading to frustration among those who just want a simple music experience.
Still, for users who enjoy sharing playlists or discussing podcasts, in-app messaging may be a natural next step. And since you can turn it off in settings, Spotify is leaving the choice up to you.